Product range. Menswear, womenswear, footwear, and accessories: all in all a formidable range for a label less than a decade old. Just like other luxury goods heavyweights J.W. Anderson puts emphasis on footwear and bags. Pointed ballet shoes with metallic cylinder heels, small pierce bags, and, of course, leather penis keyrings. J.W. Anderson is a perfect brand for those well-versed in the oeuvres of Ann Demeulemeester, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme Des Garcons and the like, but who find Moschino a bit of a passé. That is to say for those who enjoy eye-catching yet sophisticated outlooks.
Originality. Jonathan Anderson is fond of playing with contrasting prints and 'funny' details like ruches, lantern sleeves, and bows. That said, the pieces look anything but 'childish'. Anderson seamlessly blends infantile pinks with daring deconstruction cuts. This yields hilarious and entertaining caricatures poking fun at his angsty avant-garde colleagues. Add to this that everything is absolutely 'wearable'.
Chic. Absolutely. Experimental cuts, self-referential irony, and a touch of the 1970s. J.W. Anderson is touted as a rising, new-generation brand and his new collections are much awaited.
Pricing. Hoodies are available for £185, polo neck jumpers are £700, dresses are £800, while earrings are £300. The signature line items cost twice that much.
Corporate history highlights. The eponymous label was launched in 2008 by Jonathan Anderson, a graduate of London College of Fashion, who showcased his maiden collection at London Fashion Week. The collection earned him critical acclaim. What followed is a classic success story: Topshop collaborations; getting stocked by Barneys, Opening Ceremony, Dover Street Market, Selfridges, and other department and multi-brand stores of this stature; and countless prestigious accolades from British Fashion Awards. In 2013, the luxury powerhouse LVMH has bought a minority stake in J.W. Anderson and hired Jonathan Anderson as a new creative director at Loewe.
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